Connie Mellencamp

Connie Lou Mellencamp, daughter of Keith and Betty Pennington Stickelman, was born, June 24, 1944 in Clarinda, Iowa. She departed this life, Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of seventy-nine years, two months and fourteen days.

On June 28, 1964, in Clarinda, Iowa, Connie was united in marriage to Richard Warren Mellencamp and to this union three children were born. Together they shared fifty-nine years of marriage.

Connie was raised in Clarinda, Iowa and was a graduate of Clarinda High School. She completed her Undergraduate Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and her Master’s Degree from University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri. In 1994, Connie became a S.T.A.R.R. Teacher for the State of Missouri. In 1995, she was the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award for her elementary level program; The Parent Connection, and in 2004 her volunteer/service group American Angels received the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Level Commendation. For nearly thirty years, Connie was an early childhood educator and truly loved teaching young children.

Following retirement from the classroom, Connie provided children the opportunity to write and illustrate picture books that were published and donated to local libraries. She was also a very talented grant writer, submitting many grants for schools and organizations to receive grant money and purchase needed equipment and start new programs to enrich young children’s learning opportunities.

Connie made a profession of faith and was a member of Community Christian Church, Camdenton, Missouri.

In her spare time, Connie enjoyed painting, playing the piano and organ, sewing, singing, and arts and crafts. She also decorated cookies, had a miniature doll business-all handmade, and made pine-cone wreaths.

The biggest joys in her life, were her children, her eight grandchildren, her eight great-grandchildren and her fur-babies. Connie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, teacher, caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created for her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Mellencamp of Camdenton, Missouri; her three children, Jerry Mellencamp and wife Shelly of Clarinda, Iowa, Denell Smith of Linn Creek, Missouri and Jeff Mellencamp and wife Tiffany; eight grandchildren, Michael Mellencamp of Des Moines, Iowa, Michelle Washburn and husband Josh of Bradyville, Iowa, Amanda Smith and Noah Smith of Wichita, Kansas, Emma Smith of Warrensburg, Missouri, Ella Smith of Linn Creek, Missouri, Spencer Mellencamp and Macy Mellencamp of Camdenton, Missouri; her eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Nancy Howell and husband Dan of Aurora, Illinois and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 23, 2023, in Camdenton Community Christian Church, Camdenton, Missouri. Burial will follow in Allee Memorial Gardens, Camdenton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m., until time of service in the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dogwood Animal Shelter and left at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.